Update on new Dometic A/C installation from 10 mos. ago
Last fall I replaced my two Dometic Penguin roof air units with new Penguin II units with the help of Richard Bark (rbark). Since I had a 5 button system with a recently purchased Micro-Air Easy Touch thermostat with Wi-F (compatible with 5 button)i, I needed control boards that would communicate with the A/C units and the thermostat. These boards are in a metal box that go into the box behind and above each ceiling register. It is normally an easy "plug and play" set up.
From the beginning, I could not get the boards to "talk to" the thermostat and many phone conversations with Dometic's custom service could not fix the problem. They verified the model numbers and compatibility of the units each time I called. They would not let me talk to a technician; that would have to be done with a certified RV technician on my end. I finally relented and took my coach to a reputable RV repair shop in San Diego. They kept it for 5 weeks and were not able to get it to work. They gave up trying to reach Dometic, due to long wait times. Incidentally, the owner had nothing good to say about Dometic. I finally had to upgrade to the 10 button boards and thermostat and was charged nearly $2000 which included the time trouble shooting.
I reported what happened to Dometic, asking for a refund for the control boards (@$400). I was told by the "escalations" agent that they would examine the boards to determine whether the refund would be coming from marketing or sales, but it would be coming. I was glad to have this over with and they sent me the mailing labels. About two weeks later it was told that they examined the boards and they were working properly. Refund was declined. I asked for reason they didn't work a the shop and they did not answer my question but wanted to know if I wanted the boards back. Subsequent emails went unanswered.
This has been the "Cliff Notes" version of a very long process with many phone calls, emails and lost sleep. From the beginning, I just needed to know if the boards were defective or not compatible. No one would give me that answer.
My reason for relaying all this is not to gripe (yeah it is), but warn anyone who wants to do this kind of install. Sometimes doing it yourself does not save money.
There was one hero in the saga. Hutch Mountain who sold me the Micro-Air Easy Touch not only agreed to exchange the 5 button compatible thermostat with the 10 button version but sent it out immediately after my phone call. They sent me a prepaid mailing label for the return. I will do business with them any time I can.
Topic: Update on new Dometic A/C installation from 10 mos. ago (Read 289 times)
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